William Peter Main TRUEMAN

1934 - 2021

WILLIAM PETER MAIN TRUEMAN 1934 - 2021 William Peter Main Trueman (1934 - 2021) died on July 23, 2021 in Toronto after a brief journey with cancer. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, community volunteer, sponsor, and friend. He was also a well-known Canadian journalist. Born in Sackville New Brunswick, he began his career in Ottawa in the mid-1950's at the Ottawa Journal. At 23 years of age, he became a columnist for the Montreal Star in New York and moved into broadcasting-first at the CBC during the 1970 FLQ crisis and later -- in 1974, as Global Television's original news anchor. In semi-retirement, he was host and managing editor of the Discovery Channel's award-winning series Great Canadian Parks and oversaw a series of documentaries for the History Channel featuring national historic sites. In everything he did, Peter Trueman was a larger-than-life character, not only because of his 6-foot 5-inch stature, but also because of the many lives he touched with his wisdom, humour, humility, and outspoken observations of everything from world events and Canadian history to the environment and his concerns over the changing face of journalism and role of TV news. In the early Global years, he frequently smoked a pipe, and was often nicknamed 'the professor' or 'the preacher' for his serious approach to honest journalism and his drive to explain the day's events in an accurate and thoughtful way. He ended his nightly newscasts with a commentary and closed with the well-remembered phrase, 'that's not news, but that too is reality.' He also took many young journalists under his wing, including future Global National anchor Kevin Newman, and CTV Health reporter Avis Favaro, and mentored many throughout his five-decades-long career. As one former colleague, George Wolff, so eloquently stated recently: 'He shared so much of himself and his experience and his deep convictions with me, and with his support staff at Global, and even with the audience in his nightly commentary. We all know him for that and appreciate him as much more than a colleague; he was our friend and respected mentor.' The future of his chosen career concerned him deeply, however, as evidenced in his 1980 book Smoke and Mirrors: The Inside Story of Television News in Canada. These concerns led to his early retirement from television by 1988. 'TV itself, by pandering to the lowest common denominator,' he wrote, 'has debased North American standards to such a degree that before long, the people who want better television will have only each other to talk to.' Peter cherished his wife Eleanor, celebrating their 64th wedding anniversary last December. Over the course of their marriage, Peter and Eleanor moved 20 times, mostly with three kids -- Anne (Brad), Mark (Krithia) and Victoria (Chris)) -- in tow from New York, Virginia, Washington, Ottawa, Toronto, Amherst Island, Kingston. But it was the 23 years that Peter and Eleanor spent on Amherst Island in semi-retirement that Eleanor refers to as 'the golden years' that the family cherishes the most. His 11 grandkids (Sarah, Leo, Claire, Eleni, Leah, Joshua, Kathryn, Martha, Devin, Eva and Grace) all remember the thrill of sitting on his knee for his semi-raucous version of 'This is the Way the Ladies Ride' with a loud hobbledy-hoy refrain, his tall hugs, important life conversations and gracious smile. His sister Sally and her children, Paula, Oliver and Claire also enjoyed visits and special occasions to 'The Island.' In 2001, Peter became an officer of the Order of Canada, and in 2013 he was also awarded the Diamond Jubilee Medal for significant achievement and remarkable service. These awards held particular significance for Peter as his father, Dr. Albert William Trueman, also became an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1974 for his work in university administration and teaching Shakespeare. But the medal Peter Trueman valued the most was the one he received on his first anniversary as a member of Alcoholics Anonymous in 1970. He would go on to have another 50 years of sobriety after that. During that time, he was a very active participant, helping and sponsoring others undergoing the same struggle, always no more than a phone call away for anyone who needed a hand. At his request there will be no funeral service. Friends, family and the public are invited to share remembrances, thoughts, photos at the website https://www.forevermissed.com/william-peter-trueman/about to help us celebrate his life. Through his studies of Canadian history, and extensive travels in Canada during his career, Peter developed a deeper appreciation of Indigenous culture and the on-going journey to a true reconciliation with all Canadians. Donations may be made in his honour of his memory to https://indspire.ca/